A struggle that spilled into the stands marred the Pistons–Timberwolves recreation on Sunday with 5 gamers, Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and a Minnesota assistant coach getting ejected.
The altercation occurred with 8:36 remaining within the second quarter. Timberwolves massive man Naz Reid was driving to the basket and Pistons rookie ahead Ron Holland tried to swipe on the ball. Holland was referred to as for a foul and Reid instantly confronted Holland, pointing his finger at Holland. Minnesota guard Donte DiVincenzo additionally confronted and pushed Holland, resulting in a scrum that spilled into the stands alongside the baseline.
All of the gamers on the courtroom headed towards the stands and members of each teaching staffs got here out to attempt to separate the opponents. The officiating crew, with help from the league’s replay heart, selected to eject Holland, Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser from the Pistons facet and DiVincenzo, Reid and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni from the Timberwolves, together with an incredulous Bickerstaff. Luke Walton took over as Detroit’s coach for the rest of the competition.
A replay of the struggle, posted by Home of Highlights on Youtube, may be discovered right here.
Tensions had been heightened moments earlier when Stewart and Timberwolves massive man Rudy Gobert had an indignant trade.
Fines and potential suspensions are doubtless for each groups, who’re battling for playoff place. The Pistons are fifth within the Jap Convention and seeking to transfer up one spot, which might give them dwelling courtroom benefit within the first spherical.
Minnesota entered the sport tied for seventh place within the Western Convention. The Timberwolves wish to transfer up at the very least one notch and keep away from the play-in event.
